5906 Metric System Education Resources

The International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system, is easy to use and learn when taught using metric tools. The ability to interpret measurement scales, magnitude, and approximate a quantity are essential Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) competencies.

This 1.5-hour session will explore NIST Metric Program education publications and other resources teachers, parents, and students can download and freely reproduce. These resources are helpful to students as they become familiar with metric units, develop measurement quantity reference points, and learn more about SI basics.

National Metric Week, a collaboration between the NIST Metric Program and the U.S. Metric Association (USMA) will be discussed, as well as related USMA online education resources that include scholarships, awards, national Science Fair Program, and the Certified Metrication Specialist Program.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, using your notes, you will be able to:

• LIST five best practices for teaching the International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system.
• DESCRIBE how you will use at least one SI education publication or resource to educate students in a traditional classroom, distance learning environment, or community outreach event.
• REQUEST a free NIST Metric Teacher Kit.
• PREPARE to celebrate National Metric Week (the 10th month of the year and the week containing the 10th day).

Minimum Requirements

Successful completion includes participation in all activities and discussions. Session participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance (does not include participant name or CEUs) by email after the session. Attendance is recorded in the unofficial transcript, which is available in the OWM Contacts System.

Audience

This session is ideal for K-12 educators and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) professionals and other outreach ambassadors responsible for instructing middle school students on measurement techniques and STEAM careers. Parents and academic coaches who assist with student homework completion and science fair participation may also attend.

Cost

There is currently no registration fee for this webinar.

Instructor

Elizabeth Benham
Phone: (301) 975-3690
Email: elizabeth.benham [at] nist.gov (elizabeth[dot]benham[at]nist[dot]gov)

Technology Requirements

The webinar will be a live stream, so participants must have a constant connection during the webinar (hard-wired is preferred).  Review these system requirements to verify that MS Teams may be used on your computer, mobile device, or web browser. The performance of MS Teams may be influenced by other factors, such as network connectivity or other device applications. 

Operating System (browsing) configurations:

• Windows
  • Windows 8.1 and later, 64-bit;
    • Google Chrome;
    • Mozilla Firefox; and
    • Microsoft Edge.
• macOS
  • One of the three latest MacOS versions;
    • Mozilla Firefox;
    • Apple Safari (no calls via Teams possible); and
    • Google Chrome.
• Linux
  • Operating system: DEB or RPM;
  • Desktop environment: GNOME, KDE;
    • Mozilla Firefox; and
    • Opera.

Web Browsers:

• On computers running Windows, Mac, or Linux, ensure you have the latest release of one of these browsers:
  • Google Chrome;
  • Mozilla Firefox;
  • Apple Safari; and
  • Microsoft Edge.